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February 24, 2017

NEW RESTAURANT Brings Chic Style and Fresh Fare to Downtown Chandler

Article Kathleen Blair Photography David Apeji

Nestled in the center of downtown Chandler is a new restaurant called VB Lounge. Owners Sasha and Donna Cosic opened the restaurant this past December, and the buzz hasn’t stopped since. Elegant yet casual describes the warm, sophisticated ambiance created by the restaurant’s high ceilings, wrap-around bar and tasteful European décor. It’s the perfect backdrop for the amazing cuisine served.

Sasha and Donna know exactly what it takes to run a successful restaurant too, with over 20 years experience owning Va Bene. They handpicked the right people to create their vision for VB Lounge, making a dream come true for both Chef Brent Tratten and his childhood friend, General Manager Ross Brueck. From the age of five, they have been best of buds, as well as college roommates, and now have the opportunity to open a restaurant together. Tratten graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale and Breuck received his degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University.

When it comes to living your passion, Sasha wholeheartedly exemplifies the sentiment. Upon meeting him, you can tell that this man loves what he does. He warmly greets everyone who visits his restaurant as if they were coming to his home.

“I am embracing the community and my local colleagues. We are happy to be able to bring elegant dining at affordable prices to Chandler,” expresses Sasha.

Comfort Food with a Twist

Creating a menu that included something for everyone was an exciting challenge for Chef Brent, who previously worked at Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, and the Culinary Dropout. As Executive Chef, he was able to take long-time favorites and add his own twist.

“The menu was designed to include comfort food with a fine dining spin,” shares Chef Brent. “When I’m cooking, I have no idea who is in the dining room. So, it’s important that I prepare every dish as if I’m cooking for family.”

A scratch kitchen, meals are made to order with housemade sauces, dressings and pickles. The appetizers are served as finger food, and an absolute must try is the Pork Belly Lollipop—a burst of flavor in every bite. A twist on the classic bruschetta is the Tartine, an open-faced sandwich, with four options to choose from: goat cheese, hummus, prosciutto and fried egg. Salad lovers are also in for a treat with 10 choices, six of them being entrées.

Entrees not to be overlooked are the Beef Osso Bucco; the Sea Bass, in a wonderful ginger coconut broth over rice with veggies; and the Blackened Salmon served with black-eyed peas, housemade cornbread, honey butter and garlicy spinach.

If you’re into burgers, you’ll find the juicy Cast Iron Cheeseburger hard to pass up. This quality Angus beef burger is seared to lock in the flavor and is served with Applewood bacon, New York white cheddar cheese and caramelized onions sautéed in beer.

And be sure to check out the desserts. A frozen Chocolate Bar is a Chef Brent Original – a combination of chocolate, caramel, sea salt and cashew butter. Scrumptious! The sinfully good Funnel Cake is made with chocolate ganache, caramel and strawberry coulis. Mom’s Cheesecake is actually a recipe from Chef Brent’s mom, with a few minor additions. Tall and flavorful, this New York-style cheesecake is made with graham crust, lemon zest, coconut and drizzled with blackberry sauce.

“Everyone’s welcome. Our hospitality goal is to create a dining experience that is exceptional from the moment one walks into the door to their last bite,” explains Brueck.

No detail has been overlooked either, from live music on Saturday nights, to the quaint outdoor patio, to the private dining room on the second floor that overlooks the restaurant, the Cosic’s have thought of everything and continue to raise the standard for delicious cuisine in Chandler.